Staffing & Employment Services
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NSP vs ADP
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Staffing & Employment Services
NSP vs ADP — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Staffing & Employment Services | Staffing & Employment Services |
| Market Cap | $1.10B | $83.43B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $6.81B | $21.60B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-7M | $4.35B |
| Gross Margin | 13.2% | 47.5% |
| Operating Margin | -0.1% | 19.2% |
| Forward P/E | 13.4x | 18.8x |
| Total Debt | $435M | $9.07B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $642M | $3.35B |
NSP vs ADP — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insperity, Inc. (NSP) | 100 | 55.5 | -44.5% |
| Automatic Data Proc… (ADP) | 100 | 141.4 | +41.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NSP vs ADP
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
NSP is the clearest fit if your priority is defensive.
- Beta 1.06, yield 8.2%, current ratio 1.06x
- Lower P/E (13.4x vs 18.8x)
- 8.2% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs ADP's 2.8%
ADP carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 37 yrs, beta 0.37, yield 2.8%
- Rev growth 7.1%, EPS growth 9.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 7.6%
- 185.6% 10Y total return vs NSP's 47.3%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 7.1% revenue growth vs NSP's 3.5% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (13.4x vs 18.8x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 20.1% margin vs NSP's -0.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.37 vs NSP's 1.06, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 8.2% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs ADP's 2.8% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | -29.6% vs NSP's -52.3% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 6.8% ROA vs NSP's -0.3% |
NSP vs ADP — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
NSP vs ADP — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ADP leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ADP is the larger business by revenue, generating $21.6B annually — 3.2x NSP's $6.8B. ADP is the more profitable business, keeping 20.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to NSP's -0.1%. On growth, ADP holds the edge at +7.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $6.8B | $21.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $35M | $4.6B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$7M | $4.3B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$309M | $5.2B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +13.2% | +47.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -0.1% | +19.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -0.1% | +20.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -4.5% | +23.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.4% | +7.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.0% | +10.5% |
Valuation Metrics
NSP leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, ADP's 15.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than NSP's 25.4x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.1B | $83.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $890M | $89.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -159.72x | 20.76x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 13.43x | 18.76x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.75x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 25.44x | 15.11x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.16x | 4.06x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 23.75x | 13.69x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 17.49x |
Profitability & Efficiency
ADP leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ADP delivers a 68.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $69 in annual profit, vs $-8 for NSP. ADP carries lower financial leverage with a 1.46x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NSP's 9.46x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ADP scores 8/9 vs NSP's 2/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -7.7% | +68.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -0.3% | +6.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | +47.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -1.6% | +50.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 9.46x | 1.46x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$207M | $5.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $642M | $3.3B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $435M | $9.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.29x | 13.33x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ADP leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ADP five years ago would be worth $11,949 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,788 for NSP. Over the past 12 months, ADP leads with a -29.6% total return vs NSP's -52.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ADP at 1.6% vs NSP's -32.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -24.0% | -17.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -52.3% | -29.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -69.0% | +4.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -52.1% | +19.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +47.3% | +185.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -32.3% | +1.6% |
Risk & Volatility
ADP leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ADP is the less volatile stock with a 0.37 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NSP's 1.06 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ADP currently trades 62.8% from its 52-week high vs NSP's 39.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.06x | 0.37x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $72.23 | $329.93 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $18.57 | $188.16 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +39.8% | +62.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 46.1 | 56.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 977K | 3.4M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — NSP and ADP each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NSP as "Hold" and ADP as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 69.0% upside for NSP (target: $49) vs 20.2% for ADP (target: $249). For income investors, NSP offers the higher dividend yield at 8.24% vs ADP's 2.83%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $48.60 | $249.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 8 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +8.2% | +2.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 37 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.37 | $5.87 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +1.7% | +1.5% |
ADP leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). NSP leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
NSP vs ADP: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NSP or ADP a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
(ADP) is the stronger pick with 7. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 5% for Insperity, Inc. (NSP). Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) offers the better valuation at 20. 8x trailing P/E (18. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Insperity, Inc. (NSP) a "Hold" — based on 8 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — NSP or ADP?
On forward P/E, Insperity, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 13. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NSP or ADP?
Over the past 5 years, Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
(ADP) delivered a total return of +19. 5%, compared to -52. 1% for Insperity, Inc. (NSP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ADP returned +185. 6% versus NSP's +47. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — NSP or ADP?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
(ADP) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 37β versus Insperity, Inc. 's 1. 06β — meaning NSP is approximately 182% more volatile than ADP relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 146% versus 9% for Insperity, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — NSP or ADP?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
(ADP) is pulling ahead at 7. 1% versus 3. 5% for Insperity, Inc. (NSP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Automatic Data Processing, Inc. grew EPS 9. 7% year-over-year, compared to -107. 5% for Insperity, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ADP leads at 7. 6% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — NSP or ADP?
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
(ADP) is the more profitable company, earning 19. 8% net margin versus -0. 1% for Insperity, Inc. — meaning it keeps 19. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ADP leads at 26. 3% versus -0. 1% for NSP. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ADP leads at 50. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is NSP or ADP more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Insperity, Inc.
(NSP) trades at 13. 4x forward P/E versus 18. 8x for Automatic Data Processing, Inc. — 5. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NSP: 69. 0% to $48. 60.
08Which pays a better dividend — NSP or ADP?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Insperity, Inc. (NSP) offers the highest yield at 8. 2%, versus 2. 8% for Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP).
09Is NSP or ADP better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
(ADP) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 37), 2. 8% yield, +185. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ADP: +185. 6%, NSP: +47. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between NSP and ADP?
Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: NSP is a small-cap income-oriented stock; ADP is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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